Operation Spring Fling: 17 arrested in warrant roundup

SIKESTON -- Seventeen people are in custody following operation "Spring Fling," a warrant roundup primarily aimed at those dealing with illegal drugs in Sikeston.

Approximately 32 persons were recently indicted mostly for drug offenses and a few for property crimes and crimes against people, according to Capt. Jim McMillen, public information officer for Sikeston Department of Public Safety. Early Wednesday, Sikeston DPS along with numerous other agencies began seeking the wanted subjects and by 10 a.m. had 17 individuals in custody.

"Although not all of the wanted subjects were located, we feel this event was a success," McMillen said in a news release. "No one was hurt and we arrested several people with warrants for dealing in drugs. It is important we take an aggressive stance on drugs in our community because of all the harm and violence associated with it."

Those reported in custody, the charges against them and the bonds are:

Travis D. Williams, 32, of Sikeston, three counts of sale of a controlled substance, $50,000 cash;

Tyrone White, 50, of Sikeston, two counts of sale of a controlled substance near public housing, $15,000 C/S; Angela Eckles, 45, of Sikeston, three counts of sale near a school, $35,000 C/S; Eric Coffer, 28, of Sikeston, sale of a controlled substance, $50,000; Katlyn Carr, 18, of Sikeston, sale of a controlled substance, $15,000; Joseph Cannon, 34, of Sikeston, sale of a controlled substance, $50,000; Lacy Brown, 33, of Sikeston, sale of a controlled substance, $5,000; Donald Milloway, 49, of Sikeston, burglary/ stealing, $15,000 C/S; Chelsie Trapp, 25, of Sikeston, two counts sale of a controlled substance, $15,000 C/S; Morgan Stone, 19, of Sikeston, possession of a controlled substance/ possession of drug paraphernalia, $10,000 C/S;

Roderick Randell, 30, of Sikeston, three counts sale of a controlled substance, $25,000 C/S;

Isaac Patterson, 36, of Sikeston, two counts sale of a controlled substance, $50,000 C/S;

Willie Murphy, 47, of Sikeston, sale of a controlled substance near a school, $35,000 C/S;

Tracey D. Moore, 45, of Sikeston, possession with intent, $15,000 C/S; Dario Lewis, 22, of Sikeston, sale of a controlled substance $50,000 C/S; Julius Jackson, 33, of Sikeston, two counts sale of a controlled substance $35,000 C/S; and Darren Beasley, 36, of Sikeston, sale of a controlled substance $50,000 C/S.

"We can't do this task alone. We must have the support of our community in their tips and information they provide us in law enforcement," McMillen said.

He added it also takes the assistance of other law enforcement agencies to conduct such a large scale operations like a warrant roundups. Assisting Sikeston DPS were the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Scott County Sheriff's Office, Missouri Army National Guard (air support), SEMO Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Agency, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Division, Scott County Prosecutor Paul Boyd and New Madrid County Prosecutor L. Recker and Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Lawson.

McMillen continued to emphasize that information on drug activity or other crimes in neighborhood is important in the DPS' ongoing success in combating illegal drugs and crimes. Anyone with information can contact DPS at the Crimestoppers hotline at 573-471-1500. Tips can remain anonymous.